Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving, the engine shuts off, leaving the driver with no power steering or power brakes. All power is off. There is no warning or error messages on the dash of any kind. No warning at all. The last time this happened, I was able to coast to the side of the road to a stop. Once stopped, i can put the transmission in Park, restart the vehicle and continue. This time, I drove directly to my service shop to have the computer checked for codes. There were none, like the event never happened. They could not reproduce the problem. This has happened 3 times since August 2025. The wireless ignition module was replaced in 2015 under the recall notice 14V373000. That recall was for exactly this situation. So far, I have been fortunate to avoid hitting another vehicle or other objects. This is not a safe situation, especially knowing it might happen tomorrow.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the brakes seized and the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact 's head impacted the steering wheel. The contact sustained a concussion, sprained neck, and bruises to the feet, ankles, and toes that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was depressed and crashed into a pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
On multiple occasions while driving, the vehicle decelerated on its own, while also losing all ability to steer or brake. All power control to steering, braking and maneuvering was lost, although the engine did not appear to shut off. The first incident caused my wife to end up in a ditch with the children in the car. Chrysler and their dealerships will not say this is related to the NHTSA campaign # 14V373000/ Chrysler l25 recall because the engine did not appear to shut off. Whether part of the recall or not, these problems are serious safety issues for my family and others on the road. Additionally, Chrysler does not have parts available for the recall and were not able to provide an availability eta for replacement parts. …
I was driving down the road on a shallow left-hand curve when I turned the steering wheel to the right, coming out of the curve, all the sudden the left front brake (lfb) began to chatter as though the lfb ABS was engaging. The ESP bas and the traction control lights came on. The van violently swerved towards the oncoming lane. Luckly, there was no traffic come at me. I was able to over correct with the steering and regain control. I took the van to a local shop which diagnosed the steering position sensor inside the air bag clockspring to be bad. It was replaced and the problem went away. I feel this is very dangerous problem and should be addressed with a recall before someone is killed!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving with the cruise control activated, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the brakes failed. The contact depressed the brake pedal once more and the vehicle began to decelerate. The failure recurred. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed with force, but the brakes failed to respond. The contact heard a loud abnormal noise from the engine and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
I was driving at about 30 MPH on a town road and the car randomly shut off. There was a traction control light that came on. All electrical still worked but no acceleration, power steering or power brakes. I had to slow down, put the car in park and restart the car. What if I was on the high way? What if I was crossing an intersection? My wife drives my 3 children around in this car. This has happened 3 times this past week. Never did it before. And I've already had the ignition switch replaced that Dodge sent out a recall for.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at various speeds the brake pedal was applied and was slow to respond. There was an abnormal squealing noise detected. The parking brake, TPMS, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the sliding door detached from trim. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the brakes needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 221,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (electrical system). In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, the front of the vehicle shook. The failure mileage was 120,000.
This van eats brakes. I have had to have numerous repairs to my braking system done approximately every 25,000 miles at great cost. Brake calipers freeze up, rotors warp and pads wear out from hanging up. Brakes then become difficult to modulate and vibration caused by attempting to stop from interstate speeds make vehicle control difficult.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
Eldorado national is recalling model year 2008-2009 amerivan mobility vehicles built on Chrysler town & country and Dodge grand caravan platforms vehicles. The rear brake lines May have been improperly routed and not secured properly during the alteration.
Remedy: Eldorado national amerivan dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the brake lines were improperly routed they will be correctly reinstalled free of charge. The safety recall began on October 13, 2009.
Brake complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, 12% of the model year's 544 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-351 (service brakes, hydraulic, Sep 11, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.